About Us

The Bristol Classical Players were formed in 2008 to perform the nine Beethoven symphonies, with the intention of delivering exciting performances of the great Classical masterpieces. Their programmes are focused around series of works so that audiences have the chance to hear how a composer developed. The orchestra numbers approximately forty players, with the intention of recreating the scale of many performances as they were given in the composer's time. Future plans include concerts devoted to the orchestral works of Schumann, Haydn and Mozart.

Tom Gauterin (conductor)

Tom was born in 1980 and read Engligh at Jesus College, Oxford, during which time he was heavily involved in the University's music scene. Since leaving, he has conducted The Magic Flute at the Apollo Theatre and been praised in the press for a "rocket powered" Beethoven Eroica Symphony and his "authority and flair" in works by Elgar and Dvorak. In 2004 he directed the New English Sinfonia at St. John's, Smith Square, in a programme of Beethoven, Ravel and Stravinsky and, later that year, he co-founded the Brunel Sinfonia which has fast established itself as one of the most innovative and popular Bristol orchestras. He will conduct the Brunel Sinfonia in their three main concerts this year which will inlcude twentieth century classics by Mahler, Stravinsky and Shostakovich. He founded the Bristol Classical Players last year and was privileged to conduct them in all nine Beehoven symphonies.

Although largely self-taught, Tom participated in Martyn Brabbins's conducting masterclass at the 2005 Cheltenham Festival. He was invited to conduct the European Medical Students' Orchestra on their 2006 UK tour. He has recently received conducting lessons from Marin Alsop and Alexander Shelley.

Tom's musical interests are wide, although his area of special interest is English music from the first half of the twentieth centry, notably Vaughan Williams, Elgar and Bax. Away from music, Tom is a solicitor and might otherwise be found gardening, talking to his cat or hunting for real ale.

Acknowledgements

Tom would particularly like to thank Roger Levett, Gavin Stoddart, Chris Golding and Susan Haase-Derrett, without whose generosity and assistance this project would not have been possible.